How can you write a book synopsis that sells?

Figure out why you're writing the synopsis. Whether it's for a query letter, pitching your book, or for marketing, knowing your purpose helps you write a synopsis that hits the right notes and gets the job done.

Clear brief and concise. An author should have several prepared: one for a brief quick query letter and when anyone asks about it your book which if too long has people checking their watch. A one pager and a longer one say, 500 words with main points and the ending.

A synopsis is generally written to assist an author in finding a literary agent,or a publisher. It should provide an overview of the book’s plot, while explaining the premise of the story. If well written, it should be like an advertisement, which gains the attention of the agent/publisher, who will be yearning to learn more about your book. This desire will hopefully then lead to he/she investing in your written work for publication. In addition to the plot of your book, your synopsis should also indicate major twists in the plot, the ending, details about your main characters, and any major themes overall. Most importantly, your synopsis must follow the order of events, as written in your book.

Implica capturar la esencia de la historia o el argumento principal con concisión y claridad. Es bueno comenzar presentando el contexto principal de la historia y destacar el conflicto prioritario. Se debe mencionar que hay un giro (plot twist) sin desvelarlo. Si es de ensayo o de divulgación, esto no aplica. Y siempre se debe dejar al lector con la intriga de querer averiguar más sobre la historia.

Summarize your book in one sentence. If everyone understands this sentence, you've already gained a lot. You can work with this and create all kinds of summaries.

La sinopsis debe se?alar no el hilo argumental sino aspectos descriptivos que den cuenta del tiempo, del espacio, de los tópicos, de los personajes y del narrador sin ahondar demasiado para no terminar anunciando la novela. Debe ser lo suficientemente estratégica para describir en pocas palabras, claras y concisas, la temática de la novela sin contarla, pero si generando el suficiente interés para que el lector se sienta atraído por tenerla en sus manos y sea imperiosa su lectura. Si bien hay sinopsis diferentes, todas, al fin y al cabo, se inscriben en una estrategia de difusión.

Keep it simple. When you're putting together your synopsis, focus on the main things that really count. Highlight the key elements that make your story stand out and don't get tangled up in unnecessary details.

The synopsis is just like a trailer for a movie that does not give away any spoilers and tries to maintain the suspense. Make sure you do not give everything away and give the reasons to read the book.

Create intrigue. You don't want to tell the whole story. You want to craft a compelling hook that makes potential readers want to know more. On Amazon, there are five lines above the Read More link. Use the space well including both information and white space. Write your first line, the hook, and leave the second line blank. Write a little more detail in the third line. Leave the fourth one blank. Finally, on the fifth line, ask a question. Potential readers will expand your description just because of their natural inclination to answer the question. A few more compelling details should suffice and wrap up with a call to action to buy the book and fill in the blanks. It works quite well.

Lo más importante es hacerlo simple, lenguaje sencillo y directo. Y generar expectación. No se trata de desvelar los mejores momentos, sino de dejar entrever que existen picos de interés.

I am a believer of this quote "Simplicity is the ultimate Sopshication". So make sure that you keep it as simple as possible without over complicating things.

Keep it simple for everyone to get, and make it intriguing. When you're putting together your synopsis, use clear and engaging language. Your goal is for your writing to be easy to understand and keep the reader interested. Leave out the fancy words and aim for a style that grabs your audience's attention.

Convengamos que una sinopsis no es un resumen, al contrario, son los lineamientos generales que hacen a la trama argumental. Entendemos por sinopsis un esquema paratextual que en términos de marketing hará las veces de gancho con el lector. Una sinopsis debe suscitar el interés del lector por el libro, de modo tal que la exposición de la sinopsis debe tratar por todos los medios de cautivar la atención del lector. No descuidar nunca que la sinopsis es parte del aparato paratextual que acompa?a al texto y funciona como una llave de lectura que posibilitará al lector confeccionar una hipótesis de lectura. La sinopsis tiene un carácter descriptivo. No puede contar la historia, pero sí adelantar brevemente el argumento y hacerlo interesante.

Para redactar una sinopsis hay que tener muy en claro no solo la trama argumental del libro sino los procedimientos empleados para lograr el flujo narrativo que todo texto exige para mantener la tensión del lector. Evitar ambigüedades, redundancias y por sobre todo preanunciar la historia que se va a desarrollar. El lector de la sinopsis debe sentirse atraído por la poca y sólida información que se proporciona en la sinopsis. Es fundamental inscribir el género en la tipología textual que corresponda se?alando algunas características del mismo. La sinopsis además debe contener una apreciación en torno al panorama literario en el que va a irrumpir dicho texto. Predecir si va a ser una obra disruptiva o tradicional.

Yo también creo que la simplicidad es el atributo más sofisticado.a través de la simplicidad también se puede llegar a conceptos profundos. Es una invitación a querer saber más, haces que tú lector se sienta válido para entenderte.

Take a good look at your synopsis and make sure it's organized and doesn't have any mistakes. Once you've written it, spend some time checking the format and proofreading.

Revisar lo que has elaborado es fundamental. A mi, personalmente, me cuesta revisar lo que escribo. También se puede tener a otra persona que Lea tú escrito para asegurarte de que tú emoción no ha hecho de interrupción en lugar de facilitar un puente entre tú lector y tú mismo.

Let your thoughts flow at the beginning, then start revising. Delete, avoid duplication, make it interesting so that it arouses curiosity. The important thing is to eliminate errors. Editors and proofreaders can be helpful here

Writing a book or anything is all about writing and then identifying the improvements and most important re-writing. I would even say that re-writing is the most important part of writing a book from my personal experience and I see that this is the same for writing a synopsis as well.

Comprobar si el objetivo de cumple sólo puede ser a través de la audiencia, del lector. Su comportamiento con respecto a tu libro te dará la información que necesitas acerca del Propósito por el cual ha sido escrito.

Revision is not only important for the entire work, but especially for an exposé. Write it, leave it, read it, revise it. Do it all over again

In my experience, you should also consult with other writers (colleagues) to proofread. It shouldn’t be just for your eyes alone- sometimes, it somewhat difficult to find your own mistakes, especially when you have read multiple times. Let other writers criticize your synopsis. After all, you want the best for your client too, for them to recommend you.

From what I've seen, making sure your synopsis not only shows off your book well but also fits in with what the industry expects and what readers are looking for.

A good network with other authors and good test readers helps to have a summary checked. Work with an editor who can help improve it with their technical support